On February 11, 1865, one of the final Confederate victories of the War Between The States was fought near this spot. Federal cavalry commanded by Major General Hugh Judson Kirkpatrick was attacked by Confederate cavalry commanded by Major General Joseph Wheeler when the Federals entered Aiken from the southeast along the South Carolina Railroad. The Federals retreated to Montmorenci, where their infantry support was stationed. The successful Confederate defense of Aiken prevented the possible destruction of the cities of Aiken and Augusta and the Graniteville Mill.